Fifteen of the 83 stores tested last week failed
their inspections because of error rates ranging from 6 percent to 18 percent, although
two-thirds of the failures occurred because of mistakes in customers' favor. Stores must
achieve a grade of 98 percent or higher to pass an inspection.

Overall, the scanning-equipment survey found
errors in about 3 percent of the 4,150 items that inspectors scanned at the stores. Some
of the 83 stores which were inspected had perfect scores, and most had two or fewer errors
among the 50 items scanned in each location.

The largest overcharge found during the
inspections was one for $69.01 for a woman's suit at a Parisian store in Pensacola. The
largest undercharge was for $19.10 for a pressure hose from a Home Depot in Pinellas Park.

In every case where an error was detected, store
personnel immediately corrected their scanning equipment to reflect the actual price,
Crawford said. Stores that failed their inspection will be re-inspected in the coming
weeks.

Still, the results of the 29-city blitz underscore
the need for consumers to be vigilant about what they are charged at the checkout line,
Crawford said.

"It's critical that consumers know the price
of the merchandise they are buying, and compare that to what is charged at the checkout
line," Crawford said. "If there is any discrepancy, they should bring it to the
attention of the store. If that doesn't work, I would encourage them to call our office,
and we can send out an inspector."